With this year's devastating hurricanes and wildfires, you may be thinking about how and where to help. We've combed through Charity Navigator and Charity Watch to see which foundations earn high marks ... and which well-known charities you might want to skip.

Advertisement

Getty Images

1

How This List Works

With this year's devastating hurricanes and wildfires, you may be thinking about how and where to help. You've probably considered the American Red Cross, but with recent questions about how they handed relief efforts in Haiti, are they the best option?

We say it's best to consider your options versus not give at all, so we combed through Charity Navigator and Charity Watch, two trusted watchdog organizations to see which foundations earn high marks for using the money they raise to directly benefit the programs they say they do. Doing your homework is key, says Sara Nason, spokesperson for Charity Navigator. "Giving is an emotional process and you can easily become overwhelmed," she says. "Take a step back and say, 'I really want my dollar to go to the right place, so let me make sure the organization fits with my passions and is somewhere I'd like to give in the future.'"

This list can help get you started, but it's by no means an exhaustive one. If there's a charity that you're curious about, you can use their search tools to see how they rank. Also check out Charity Navigator's Hot Topics list to find highly rated organizations that have specific donor funds that go to Hurricane Maria, Irma or Harvey, as well as the Mexico Earthquakes. These organizations also have to highlight how they will respond to the crises, Nason explains.

Getty Images

2

BEST: Direct Relief

Charity Navigator recommends this 4-star organization that earns a 100 out of 100 for its financial and accountability and transparency score. Why? Over 99% of its expenses go toward making a real difference in the community. They are currently supplying medical aid to areas affected by the hurricanes, the Mexico earthquakes, Puerto Rico and the California wildfires. Regarding the wildfires, Direct Relief has supplied masks that protect against smoke and ash, as well as medical assistance at 40 health centers and clinics.

Getty Images

3

BEST: Water Mission

Considering about 1.8 billion people lack access to safe water, this organization is working to build clean water solutions for people around the globe. In terms of its disaster relief efforts for Hurricane Irma, 100% of your donation will go toward supplying the H20 they desperately need.

Advertisement

Getty Images

4

BEST: MAP International

Distributed $485 million in medicines and health supplies to children and families in 102 countries around the world in 2016. Currently, they are responding to the hurricanes, the earthquakes, as well as refugees in Syria. And your dollars make a big impact. For instance, a $25 donation provides $1,500 of medicine. A whopping 99% of their expenses go toward funding these programs, which is hugely beneficial to communities around the world.

Getty Images

5

BEST: Operation USA

With the slogan "give and it gets there," you can count on that. This gets a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for its commitment to serving children and families touched by natural disasters worldwide. Most of the funds go toward providing medical supplies, and a smaller portion is reserved for community development and disaster relief. Currently, they're funding Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, along with the Mexico Earthquake. If you'd like, you can specify where you'd like your donation to go.

Getty Images

6

BEST: Houston Food Bank

(Yep, that's Beyonce volunteering in 2014. She also volunteered in her hometown of Houston after the flood.) They're working to provide meals for hungry neighbors that are experiencing emergencies like Hurricane Harvey. For each dollar you donate, you give three meals. And that's a great return! During fiscal year 2016-2017, the food bank distributed 83 million meals.

Advertisement

Getty Images

7

BEST: Cure Alzheimer's Fund

It will feel good to know that 100% of your money goes toward research to prevent, slow or reverse this devastating disease. In its Alzheimer's Genome Project, researchers identified nearly 1,000 new genetic mutations involved in the disease.

Getty Images

8

BEST: Environmental Defense Fund

With Charity Navigator's highest four-star rating, the EDF focuses on finding solutions for clean energy, expanding sustainable fishing, and reducing pollution exposure. Along with influencing legislation, they also build partnerships with corporations to get them on board with environmentally friendly initiatives. For instance, they worked with Walmart to reduce toxic chemicals in their household products, an effect that rippled to other companies like Target.

Getty Images

9

BEST: Books for Africa

This is one charity that earns a perfect score on Charity Navigator, which is a big deal. The organization collects, sorts, ships and distributes books to students in Africa. Ultimately, they want to end the book famine on the continent. You can choose to donate money or books (but it's a good idea to pay for shipping if you're giving the latter).

Advertisement

Getty Images

10

BEST: PetSmart Charities

Yep, that PetSmart. Daily, their mission is to help shelter animals find their forever home. They're also working to help our furry victims of natural disasters by funding $3 million to animal welfare organizations that serve pets (and their parents) affected by Hurricane Harvey and other natural disasters.

Getty Images

11

BEST: Heart to Heart International

Providing humanitarian help domestically and internationally, this four-star Charity Navigator-rated foundation also focuses on crisis relief. In Haiti, the org brings in healthcare to people living in deteriorating houses affected by the 2010 earthquake. Currently, they're putting their efforts toward Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, as well as Maria's impact in Puerto Rico. You can choose the relief effort you'd prefer to donate.

Getty Images

12

VERY GOOD: American Red Cross

Though it doesn't get as high of ratings as the other disaster relief organizations on this list, it's still given three out of four stars from Charity Navigator, which is excellent. Most of their funding goes to blood donation programs, while a smaller amount is focused on domestic disaster relief. Thanks to donations, they are providing $400 to Texas households affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Advertisement

Getty Images

13

VERY GOOD: National Pediatric Cancer Foundation

There's long been talk about how childhood cancer research is underfunded. This nonprofit has partnered with 23 hospitals in the US, including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, to find targeted treatments and back research with the hopes of eliminating pediatric cancer. A full 88% of their expenses go toward funding these programs.

Getty Images

14

VERY GOOD: Michael J. Fox Foundation

While many celebrities have foundations, this is one that consistently receives high marks. In fact, 90% of the foundation's funds go toward its goal of finding a cure for Parkinson's disease and improving therapies and finding breakthroughs for those living with the disease.

Getty Images

15

VERY GOOD: Meals on Wheels

There are 5,000 local programs in the US, which serve senior citizens in their communities. Though volunteer drivers bring a nutritious hot meal provided at a voluntary cost to the senior, they also provide a friendly visit and a safety check. Meals on Wheels also operates in senior centers.

Advertisement

Getty Images

16

VERY GOOD: Kids Alive International

This Christian-focused organization helps children in need by rescuing orphans around the world. They consistently grab perfect scores on Charity Navigator (15 years in a row!). One reason: so much of their program expenses — 85% — goes toward services that benefit these kids.

Getty Images

17

VERY GOOD: Doctors Without Borders

Medical professions currently work in more than 60 countries worldwide to provide emergency medical care. Their teams risk their lives taking care of people in conflict zones and those affected by natural disasters. From vaccination campaigns to fighting diseases like cholera, Ebola, and HIV/AIDs, their doctors are in the front lines.

Getty Images

18

VERY GOOD: Scholarship America

With the idea that college is expensive (no kidding), Scholarship America manages scholarships to help people realize their dream of attending college — and staying in school. Also, a small portion of the funding (0.5%) goes toward their community-based Dollars for Scholars program, which awards scholarships to local students.

Advertisement

Getty Images

19

CAUTION: American Breast Cancer Foundation

If you're looking to donate to breast cancer, you may want to rethink this one-star choice, per Charity Navigator. Half of the funds they raise go toward both administrative and fundraising expenses. There are better options, like the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which was founded in 1991 by survivor Janelle Hail, who was diagnosed at the age of 34. The organization provides free mammograms to women in all 50 states in their effort to promote early detection.

Getty Images

20

CAUTION: Kids Wish Network

The organization grants kids having experienced life-altering situations, but Charity Navigator gives it zero stars, mainly because of financial concerns. Only 22% of its expenses go toward making children's dreams come true, while most of the money is eaten up by fundraising. For a similar charity, Make-A-Wish International is a four-star rated organization.

Getty Images

21

CAUTION: Kars4Kids

The foundation that allows people to donate their cars, which the organization then sells and uses to benefit their charity programs. That said, Charity Watch gives it a D rating and Charity Navigator has it under a "moderate concern advisory," for concern that it overstates its charitable work. You're better off donating to StandUp For Kids, which serves homeless and at risk youth.

Advertisement

Getty Images

22

CAUTION: Let's Adopt! Global

What began as a Facebook group to help animals in need worldwide quickly became a non-profit. Problem is, it's under a "high concern advisory" because the IRS revoked its tax exemption status for failure to file their Form 990s for three consecutive years. When you want to help the animals big and small, in the wild, on farms, or pets, the Animal Welfare Institute is a great place to go. (It gets an A+ from Charity Watch.)

Getty Images

23

CAUTION: Helping Heroes

While they note that their goal is to help veterans, it earns a "high concern" mark from Charity Navigator due to allegations that the charity is a scam and may not be registered with the IRS. To serve veterans, give instead to The Mission Continues, which helps service members transition into everyday life in their communities.